418 - Bone Healing

| The Surgical Technologist | OCTOBER 2018 446 capillary and fibroblastic ingrowth. A soft tissue or perios- teal callus is formed on the outer surface or cortex of the fractured bone by the collagen producing fibroblasts and osteoblasts. The callus formation stage lasts three to four weeks. Soft tissue growth continues and the bone fragments grow toward one another, bridging the gap. Osteoblasts form a matrix of collagen that invades the periosteal callus, bridg- ing the fracture site and uniting the two ends of the bone. Fibrous tissue, cartilage and immature bone stabilize the fracture site. The ossification stage begins two to three weeks follow- ing the injury and can last three to four months. The matrix of osteoblasts, now called the osteoid-calcifies, firmly unite the bone. The bone is capable of accepting mineral deposits. The remodeling stage is the maintenance state of nor- mal bone. Following a fracture, any devitalized tissue is removed, and the new bone is organized to provide maxi- mum support and function. Osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity should be equal, constantly resorbing and reforming the bone. The process of remodeling continues throughout the life cycle and is affected by local stress on the individual bone, circulation, nutrition and hormones. Any disruption of homeostasis will result in a pathologic condition. F A C T O R S T H A T E N H A N C E B O N E H E A L I N G Several options are available to the clinician and the patient to enhance fracture healing. • Good nutrition and overall health are two very impor- tant influences on fracture healing. The use of calcium and vitamin D supplements is extremely helpful. The recommended daily allowance of calcium for the aver- age, healthy adult is 1,000 milligrams and the recom- mended daily allowance for vitamin D is 600 IU. X-ray of broken forearm